The effort described in this proposal seeks to develop an agile solution for mitigation of electromagnetic field induced damage to critical avionics systems. Modern sensor systems must able to function and recover from a suite of hostile electromagnetic (EM) events such as high power microwave (HPM), high energy laser (HEL) and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) threats. This proposal seeks to develop a novel solution based on phase change materials (PCMs) which exhibit marked changes in physical properties with heating and/or application of high electric fields. Combination of multifunctional PCMs with redundant control systems allows for simultaneous sensing, threat mitigation and recovery of a critical system during a hostile EM event comprised of RF and/or optical fields. The BRC-UD team will leverage expertise in EW operational requirements, optical and RF measurements as well as experience in materials synthesis of PCMs. Research will focus on development of techniques for growth of high quality material over large areas using pulsed laser deposition (PLD), characterization of switching performance under microwave and optical irradiation and recommended techniques for integration into a redundant adaptive system. Materials properties will be tailored with the goal of maximizing on/off state conductivity ratios, switching speed and damage threshold.
Benefits: We anticipate that development and integration of RF/EO limiting materials in modern sensor systems will have wide reaching effects on cost, size weight, power (cSWAP) and complexity of these systems. Our team recognizes the need for development of agile limiting solutions for highly integrated RF/EO sensor systems for warfighter capability enhancement as operational scenarios and threats evolve. Our team will establish an application roadmap for the limiter capability that will establish design concepts and outline the device configuration that will be required for each application. This application use matrix will provide the basis for scale-up of materials manufacturing and determination of the production cost, providing opportunity to determine whether a cost effective approach may be achieved and what is required to do so. The commercialization approach will also address the scalability of materials synthesis, processing, packaging methods, etc. that are required. Coordination with AFRL will determine the application roadmap priorities and support preparation of go-forward development leading to production application.
Keywords: Electronic Warfare, Directed Energy, Countermeasure, Phase Change Materials, Pulsed Laser Deposition
